Folding table



Jan. 6, 1942. .G A. HAIBECK 2,269,370

FOLDING TABLE Filed May 2o, 1940 3 sheets-sheet 1 ttorny Jan. I6, 1942.- G. A. HAIBECK I v 2,269,370

' FOLDING TABLE I Filed May 20, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet In ventor Patented Jan. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES PA'IENT OFFICE FOLDING TABLE Gilbert A. Haibeek, lwiumar, Minn. Application May 20, 1940, Serial No. 336,227 2 claims. l(o1. 311-90) f f My invention relates to improvements in folding tables for use more particularly as camping equipment.

The principal object in View is to provide a simply constructed, light-weight, folding table which vmay be kquickly set up for use, or knocked down and folded so as to form a portable chest for carrying articles, such as clothing; camping utensils or the like.

Another Vobject is to provide a table having Alegs adjustable independently in a convenient and expeditious manner when the table is set up to level the same on uneven ground.

Still another object is to provide a tab-lejwhich whenset up embodies a secret, or hidden, compartment for articleswhich it is desired to conceal from view. Y l

Other and subordinate objects are comprehended by my invention, all of which, together Withthe precise nature of my improvements, will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claims are read with reference to the drawings accompanying andffo'rming part of this specication.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in end elevation of a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Figure 2 is a View in bottom plan,

Figure 3is a view in transverse section taken on the line 3 3 ofl Figure 2, l I

Figure 4 isa similar view taken on theline 4`4 of Figure 2 but with the legs in stored position, f v lFigure 5 is a fragmentary view in transverse section taken on the line5-5 of Figure v2 Abut with the'table turned top sidefupp'ermost,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View invertical sec'- tio'n taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 3 anddrawn to an enlarged scale,

Figure 7 is a view showing the sections folded to form a chest, and

Figure 8 is a view in perspective of one of the leg latches.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, the illustrated embodiment of my improved table comprises as its basic elem-ents a pair of elongated, rectangular, box-like open sections I, 2,

of the same size attached together at sides sections I, 2, the bottoms 4 thereof provide a end thereof.

substantially square fiat top for the table, the ends 5 of saidsections end flanges and the sides 6 thereof side flanges depending from `and" supporting said top. The hinges 3 are secured to the edgesfof the attached sides 6' so that said sides in the unfolded position ofthe sections I,

2, abut and establish said unfolded position. The corners of the sections I, 2, adjacentrthe open sides thereof may be reinforced exteriorly of ythelsections'by triangular` plates 1 secured thereto by nails or screws 8, Means for locking the sections I, 2, in unfolded positionare provided in the form of the usual trunk latches of the snap action type, `the complemental parts 9 and I0 of which are'secured to the ends5 of .theV sections v If, Q2, respectively, 'adjacent the hinged sides thereof. A pair'of suitablehandles I lare secured, Vasat I2, to the Iends 5 of one section l,

or 2, asfthe case may be, for use in carrying the chestformed by the folded sections.

' Detachable corner legs I3v are provided for supporting fthei sectionsl I; 2, Whenunfolded and means for attaching said legs in position as follows.

downw'ardlyin the unfolded position ofthe section. A` pair of short posts I6 are secured in each` space I5 adjacent the ends 5 of the section to form a pair of transversely square corner sockets I1 in said sectionalso opening downwardly in said unfolded position of the section and designed toslidab-ly receive the upper ends Vof'the'legs I3, which legs areshaped to t therein. TheA posts IB'may bev secured in position by nails, as at I8. f I Y The legs I3' are vertically :adjustable in. the sockets I1 into different set positions by means of the following. Each leg I3 on the side thereof opposed to the post I6 adjacent thereto is provided with ratchet teeth IB adjacent the upper Snap action latches 20 are provided on the posts I6 rfor engagement with the ratchet teeth vI9 of the legs. Each latch 20 is of right-angled form and resilient metal and fixed at one end, as by a screw 2l, to one side of the related post I6 with its other end 22 extending across the free end of the post I6 to ratchet over the teeth I9 of the related leg I3, the arrangement being such that said latch may be rvflexed .away from the leg to disengage the end 22 thereof from the teeth I9 but reacts in the direction of the teeth to normally engage the same. A screw 23 loosely extended through an aperture 24 in each latch 20* and into the post I6 with a coil spring 25 thereon backing said latch additionally tensions the latch against disengagement. Preferably each latch 20 is formed of a single strip of metal bent upon itself to form the part thereof below the screw 2| of double thickness and to also form an eyelet-like finger grip 26 for use in disengaging the latch. The legs I3 are of a length and width to t, when detached, in pairs, one on top of the other, in the spaces I5.

Preferably each pair of legs I3 is reversely tapered, as shown in Figure 4, to reduce the amount of space occupied by the same when stored in the spaces I5. Each bar I4 is provided with a push bolt 26' slidable therein, centrally thereof, to be moved over the pair of legs I3 stored in the adjacent space I and thereby retain the same in said space.

A cross partition 2'I is provided in one section adjacent one end 5 thereof and between the bar I4 and the hinged, or attached, side of the section and a right-angled partition 28 between partition 2'I and said end of the section to form adjoining small compartments 29, 30, adapted to be closed by cover flaps 3I, 32, respectively, hinged, as at 33, to the partition 21 and saidend 5. The suitable latch 34 is provided for latching the cover flaps 3|, 32, closed. A partition similar to partition 21 may be provided in the other sections I, 2, as indicated at 35, to form in the same an open-end compartment.

As will now be seen, by -disenga-ging the latches 2U, the legs I3 may be adjusted vertically fto different set positions to level the table as occasion may require. Also, by disengaging the latches 20, said legs I3 maybe removed from the sockets I'I, stored in spaces I5 and locked therein by the bolts 26 so that the sections I, 2, with the legs I3 therein may be folded into chest forming relation. As will also be apparent, the compartments 23, 30, when closed by the cover flaps 3|, 32, form convenient storage spaces which, when the sections I, 2, are unfolded, and the table set up, are concealed from View. Obviously, the compartments 29, 30, may be conveniently used in packing the chest for containing selected articles and separating the same from the remaining contents of the chest.

The foregoing will, it is believed, sumce to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a folding table a pair of folding rectangular box-like sections having sides and ends, hinges connecting sides of said sections together for unfolding into side-by-side relation with contiguous sides abutting and said sections opening downwardly whereby the bottoms of said sections form a top for the table, said sections being foldable on said hinges into edge-to-edge mating relation to form a chest, a pair of partition bars fixed in said sections, respectively, alongside the detached sides thereof and laterally spaced therefrom, a pair of short posts xed on each section between the detached side thereof and the partition bar thereof to form together with said detached sides and bars and the ends of the sections a pair of corner sockets in each section opening downwardly when said sections are unfolded, a pair of corner legs for each section having upper ends adapted for insertion in the sockets thereof and removable therefrom, and means to detachably secure said ends of said legs in said sockets for endwise adjustment into different set positions to level the table, said partition bars together with said posts and detached sides of the sections forming a pair of elongated side pockets in said sections, respectively, for the storage of said legs in pairs therein when detached.

2. In a folding table a pair of folding rectangular box-like sections having sides and ends, hinges connecting sides of said sections together for unfolding into side-by-side relation with contiguous sides abutting and said sections opening downwardly whereby the bottoms of said sections form a top for the table, said sections being foldable on said hinges into edge-to-edge mating relation to form a chest, a pair of partition bars fixed on said sections, respectively, alongside the detached sides thereof and laterally spaced therefrom, a pair of short posts fixed on each section between the detached side thereof and the partition bar thereof to form together with said detached sides and bars and the ends of the sections a pair of corner sockets in each section opening downwardly when said sections are unfolded, a pair of corner legs for each section having upper ends adapted for insertion in the sockets thereof and removable therefrom, and means to detachably secure said ends of said legs in said sockets for endwise adjustment into different set positions to level the table, said partition bars together with said posts and detached sides of the sections forming a pair of elongated side pockets in said sections, respectively, for the storage of said legs in pairs therein when detached, said partition bars being provided with pins slidable therein over the stored legs to retain the same in said pockets and detachable when not in use.

' GILBERT A. HAIBECK. 

